Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Measured Density of Dry Chemicals

Threaded View

  1. #1
    chem geek is offline PF Supporter Whibble Konker chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    California
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,226

    Default Measured Density of Dry Chemicals

    (I also have this post duplicated at this post on the TroubleFreePool forum.)

    I just used some Borax for the first time to raise pH. Usually, I've never had to adjust pH or sometimes had to add a small amount of acid, but since I've been using Trichlor pucks to raise the CYA level, I've had to raise the pH. In the past, I used Sodium Carbonate, but this time used Borax.

    Anyway, the point of this thread is to gather real-world measurements of the density of dry chemical products. This is because the "standard" density of solid sodium tetraborate decahydrate is 1.71 g/ml but my measured density using a measuring cup and scale is 0.96 g/ml (about 1 ounce weight per fluid ounce). I had a similar experience with sodium bicarbonate solid as 2.159 while my own measurement was 1.2 g/ml. Calcium Chloride Anhydrous is 2.16 g/ml as a solid but I measured 1.2 g/ml for granules (tiny round pellets). The differences are due to the density of a solid block of substance vs. the powdered versions that we buy and that are far easier to dissolve.

    So I would like other's to post their measurements. They can be in ounces weight per fluid ounce or ounces weight per cup or whatever you want. Try to tap your measuring cup on a hard surface to make the contents settle. That will result in more consistent numbers. The following is a list of dry chemicals where such density measurements would be useful. This would allow us to specify volume instead of weight for those that find it more convenient.

    The theoretical "solid" density follows each item. By the way, 1 fluid ounce volume per ounce weight is equal to 0.9586 g/ml
    Code:
                                                         DENSITY (g/ml)
    Pool Chemical                                        Solid    Bulk
    Sodium Bisulfate (Dry Acid) ........................ 2.435    1.44
    Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash / Washing Soda / pH Up) . 2.532    1.1
    Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate (20 Mule Team Borax)  1.71     1.0 (tapped) / 0.757 (scooped)
    Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate (Proteam Supreme?) . 1.81      ?
    Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) ................... 2.159    1.2
    Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo) .................... 2.35     1.025 (MSDS)
    Dichlor Dihydrate Granules/Powder ..................  ?       0.985
    Dichlor Anhydrous Granules/Powder ..................  ?       0.7 (Wikipedia)
    Lithium Hypochlorite Granules/Powder ...............  ?       0.98
    Potassium Monopersulfate (Non-Chlorine Shock) ......  ?       1.15-1.30 (MSDS)
    Calcium Chloride Dihydrate .........................  ?       0.837
    Calcium Chloride Anhydrous ......................... 2.16     1.2
    Cyanuric Acid ...................................... 2.5      0.765 (0.92 from unknown source)
    Salt ............................................... 2.16     1.154
    Thanks,
    Richard
    Last edited by chem geek; 01-02-2008 at 02:08 PM.

Similar Threads

  1. Want to get the chemicals right ...
    By Debits26 in forum Pool Chemicals & Pool Water Problems
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 07-29-2012, 06:39 PM
  2. HOW MUCH Chemicals
    By chris cody in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-01-2006, 12:16 AM
  3. Where To Buy Chemicals
    By msb1766 in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 07-19-2006, 12:24 PM
  4. Chemicals & #'s Have Me???????!!!!!!
    By MsSmiley in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-09-2006, 08:20 PM
  5. OTO and CYA and TC, oh my! What's being measured?
    By aquarium in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-13-2006, 10:02 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts